Page 60 of Trial of Thorns
Caelynn
Two days before thethird challenge I find a note in my room. I look around, uncomfortable with the idea that someone has been in here to sneak it to me—particularly with Raven hanging around.
I don’t know what would happen if someone found her. I do know what would happen if Rev or one of his allies found her—they’d use her against me. And it would work.
I open the note quickly.
Right turret. 22:00
Dammit, stupid military time. That’s ten p.m.?
Drake wants to meet to plan out the next challenge? He lost an ally during the last trial, which means he really may need me in this one. It only solidifies my position with him. Even though he disgusts me enough that part of me wants to betray him before we even start.
Too bad I don’t have any other options.
***
IREACH THE STEPS OFthe northwest turret of the Flicker estate at nine fifty-five, still hoping I understand military time. An owl screeches in the distance, causing me to shiver. It’s not a pleasant sound.
Shadows cascade over the stone stairway, and I pause, my heart pounding. I shouldn’t be this nervous meeting my “allies.” The rapid fluttering of wings grab my attention, and I quickly shift to the side, into the shadowed alley beside the turret stairs.
The snowy owl crashes into my chest, and I gently cocoon her. “What the hell are you doing?” I whisper, even though I know she can’t respond in this form. “Are you okay?”
Her little bird head bobs up and down, but she clucks nervously. Is she trying to warn me of something?
Footsteps stomp down the spiral stairs I’d just nearly ran up and I pause, holding Raven in her owl form tightly.
“Are you sure about this?” a male whispers.
I swallow, listening and pulling shadows over Raven and I both.
“We have to do it,” a female voice says.
I blink back my surprise. Brielle. That was Brielle’s voice.
Was the note not from Drake? Is this an ambush?
Rook and Brielle march right past us without so much as a glance in our direction and disappear around the corner, back to the Flicker palace.
Raven is the first to move—she leaps from my arms and flutters into the dark sky. I don’t know what would have happened if they saw me, but I don’t suspect it would have been good.
Now, the question is do I still go up? Raven is careening through the sky without a care in the world now. No screeching or squawking, so I’m going to take that as my clue that the danger has passed.
I ascend the spiral stairs slowly and quietly, just in case. The moment I reach the top, moonlight shining down on me, Drake steps forward, followed by Kari, who had been causally reclining on the ledge.
“Hello there, ally.” Drake open his arms dramatically.
